spark
1an ignited or fiery particle such as is thrown off by burning wood or produced by one hard body striking against another.
Also called sparkover .Electricity.
the light produced by a sudden discontinuous discharge of electricity through air or another dielectric.
the discharge itself.
any electric arc of relatively small energy content.
the electric discharge produced by a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.
anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.
a small amount or trace of something.
a trace of life or vitality.
sparks, (used with a singular verb)Slang. a radio operator on a ship or aircraft.
(usually initial capital letter) a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is five years of age.
to emit or produce sparks.
to issue as or like sparks.
to send forth gleams or flashes.
(of the ignition of an internal-combustion engine) to function correctly in producing sparks.
to kindle, animate, or stimulate (interest, activity, spirit, etc.): These bright students have sparked her enthusiasm for teaching. The arrival of the piano player really sparked the party.
Origin of spark
1Other words for spark
Other words from spark
- sparkless, adjective
- spark·less·ly, adverb
- sparklike, adjective
Other definitions for spark (2 of 3)
an elegant or foppish young man.
a beau, lover, or suitor.
a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.
to woo; court.
to engage in courtship; woo.
Origin of spark
2Other words from spark
- sparkish, adjective
- spark·ish·ly, adverb
- spark·ish·ness, noun
- sparklike, adjective
Other definitions for Spark (3 of 3)
Muriel (Sarah) (Camberg), 1918–2006, British novelist and writer, born in Scotland.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use spark in a sentence
An F-35 was destroyed on takeoff earlier in the year when a design flaw in its Pratt & Whitney F135 engine sparked a fire.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019 | Dave Majumdar | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAmerican intervention in Korea has frequently sparked protests, especially over film.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea | Rich Goldstein | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe protests sparked by the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner have become front page news.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive | Ben Jacobs | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThough the bar closed soon after, a movement had been sparked, and when it reopened in 1990, history was revived.
The incident sparked his belief in Santa, but he would have to wait nearly two decades before dressing up as Jolly St. Nick.
Kerry Bentivolio: The Congressman Who Believes in Santa Claus | Ben Jacobs | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Burning wings withered on the ground; dead leaves had sparked now, and whips of light ran on the clearing floor.
The Jewels of Aptor | Samuel R. DelanyHer skin was tanned toast brown so that the bright blue eyes fairly sparked out at you.
Highways in Hiding | George Oliver SmithIncongruity sparked a scarcely-controllable impulse to hysterical laughter.
The Short Life | Francis DonovanAt which the glint in her eye and the hidden smile on her lips sort of met and sparked and she laughed.
Cheerful--By Request | Edna FerberThe Wabbly backed slowly from the irregular line where the first rockets sparked invisibly.
Morale | Murray Leinster
British Dictionary definitions for spark (1 of 3)
/ (spɑːk) /
a fiery particle thrown out or left by burning material or caused by the friction of two hard surfaces
a momentary flash of light accompanied by a sharp crackling noise, produced by a sudden electrical discharge through the air or some other insulating medium between two points
the electrical discharge itself
(as modifier): a spark gap
anything that serves to animate, kindle, or excite
a trace or hint: she doesn't show a spark of interest
vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour
a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass
(intr) to give off sparks
(intr) (of the sparking plug or ignition system of an internal-combustion engine) to produce a spark
(tr often foll by off) to kindle, excite, or animate
Origin of spark
1British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)
/ (spɑːk) /
a fashionable or gallant young man
bright spark British usually ironic a person who appears clever or witty: some bright spark left the papers next to the open window
rare to woo (a person)
Origin of spark
2Derived forms of spark
- sparkish, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Spark (3 of 3)
/ (spɑːk) /
Dame Muriel (Sarah). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include Memento Mori (1959), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961), The Takeover (1976), A Far Cry from Kensington (1988), Symposium (1990), and The Finishing School (2004)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with spark
see make the sparks fly.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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